Mom and daughter dramatically saved from sinking sand

By Charlie Fenton

This is the dramatic moment mom and daughter were saved from drowning after they became stuck waist-deep in wet sand as a tide was coming in.

Shocking CCTV video captures a young girl playing in the sand at 5:20 pm, near the Three Shells Lagoon, in Southend, Essex, before she suddenly sinks into the ground.

Moments later, her mom can be seen rushing to her daughter's aid, only to sink and become stuck metres away from her.

The scared duo begin shouting for help during the incident on Tuesday, March 10, before four men from the nearby Adventure Island theme park, as well as a truck driver, came to their rescue.

Video shows the men pulling both the mom and daughter out of the sand with a rope.

It is believed the sand the duo became stuck in was placed there by Southend-on-Sea City Council.

In a post on Facebook, a spokesperson for Adventure Island said: "Yesterday at around 5:20pm, one of our managers spotted a mother and her young daughter stranded in the Three Shells Lagoon, waist-deep and stuck in wet sand that had recently been placed there by the council, with the tide coming in.

"He immediately alerted members of our workshop team, who quickly brought ropes to secure around them and carefully pull them to safety.

"Drawing on their training and expertise, the team acted quickly and calmly to rescue them, while another member of the workshop team contacted the Coastguard.

More from this section

US Senate passes housing bill as lawmakers seek cost-of-living win

Laundry fire on giant US aircraft carrier injures two: US military

With new ships, Canada aims to be 'icebreaking superpower'

"Thankfully this happened while our team were still on site at the end of the day, allowing staff to spot the situation and step in when it mattered most.

"A huge well done to our team who jumped straight into action and safely rescued them.

"We hope the mother and daughter are both safe and well after the incident. If they see this post, we’d love them to get in touch with us.”

Philip Miller MBE, Executive Chairman of Stockvale Group, thanked the team for their efforts.

He said: "They recognised that two people were in real difficulty and worked together, with real calmness and professionalism, to bring them safely out while the Coastguard were contacted.

The lagoon is currently fenced off with signs warning visitors over the "deep wet stand".

A Southend Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of this incident and are taking it very seriously.

“Our engineers have already been on site to install fencing and signage around the lagoon.

“No injuries were reported and we will keep the signage on site advising caution due to deep, wet sand until we are confident that the lagoon is safe.

“We will consider any other urgent measures which may be necessary following the next low-tide inspection.”